IELTS Listening Practice Test | 2026-02-17

**Narrator:** Now turn to section one. You will hear a student and an adviser talking about facilities at a college. First you have some time to look at questions 1 to 5. Now we shall begin. You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time. Listen carefully and answer questions one to five.
**Adviser:** Hi, I wonder if you could help me. I'm starting a course at Glenfield in a few weeks. I was just a bit worried about what facilities there will be and what I'll have to do. I'm especially interested in health and welfare stuff.
**Sonia:** Certainly. We normally send out a copy of our leaflet, staying healthy at Glenfield. I'm not sure why you haven't had it.
**Adviser:** Well, could you answer a few questions for me? Firstly, I'm wondering about how I get a doctor when I arrive.
**Sonia:** Well, you can register with the University Health Center on North Campus.
**Adviser:** And do I have to pay for that?
**Sonia:** Not to register, but if you have to get medicines, there's a prescription charge of £6.50.
**Adviser:** Okay. Well, I'm not planning to get ill. That's only going to arise if I have any problems. So, should I just go along when I arrive?
**Sonia:** That's what we recommend for peace of mind, but it's not compulsory. And if you don't live inside the catchment area, you can't in fact register there. Where do you live?
**Adviser:** Well, at the moment I'm staying at the backpacker's hostel in Hill Street, but I will be moving from there shortly somewhere nearer.
**Sonia:** Well, there's a map at the center which shows you the area that the university practice can accept people from. It's what we call the yellow zone. If you live outside that area, you have to find another medical center to register with.
**Adviser:** It sounds like I'll only qualify after I move.
**Sonia:** I think you might be right. Then in addition to the health center, there's a free counseling service for all students situated on the north campus. You don't have to register. They also have drop-in sessions. I say it's free, but that's only for up to eight sessions. Beyond that, they normally refer people elsewhere.
**Adviser:** Sounds serious.
**Sonia:** Well, it's not just for big problems. People go there for advice on housing, workload, whatever really. They can even arrange financial help.
**Adviser:** Is it confidential?
**Sonia:** Absolutely. Then again, a lot of students prefer to phone the night line service, which is run from an office on the central campus. They don't really encourage people to drop in.
**Adviser:** I see. So, it's basically a free phone line.
**Sonia:** The number, if you want to make a note, is 09007625913. I'll say it again. 09007625913.
**Adviser:** Fine. Well, I hope I won't need any of these. What I will want is access to some gym facilities.
**Sonia:** Right. Well, you'll find those on the south campus in the sports center. The equipment is great, but it's not free. You have to present your student card and pay a fee of £22 to get a pass, but that will last you for the whole year.
**Narrator:** Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 6 to 10. Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.
**Adviser:** Is this information on the website?
**Sonia:** I'm afraid not. I can send you some leaflets or even resend the whole information pack if you give me your details.
**Adviser:** Uh, could you send the whole information pack, please?
**Sonia:** Yes, that's fine. I'll have to take down some details. Could you tell me your full name?
**Adviser:** Sonia Orr.
**Sonia:** S O N Y?
**Adviser:** Uh, no. I'll spell it S O N I A. Then O R R.
**Sonia:** Orr. Okay. And you said you were on Hills Road.
**Adviser:** Yes. But don't send it there as I'm about to move. I'll give you my new address, which is 22 Winter Gardens. That's Glenfield.
**Sonia:** And the postcode?
**Adviser:** Oh, yeah. That's GF23 9BQ.
**Sonia:** Fine. Now, we're doing a bit of data collection about who uses our services at the moment. Can I just ask a few more questions?
**Adviser:** Yes, that's fine.
**Sonia:** Okay. If you're an international student, what country are you from?
**Adviser:** I'm from Switzerland.
**Sonia:** And how old are you?
**Adviser:** I'm 24. And finally, which course are you enrolled on?
**Sonia:** Right. Well, that's a bit complicated since I'm hoping to switch to economics and history, but at the moment I'm down to do economics and sociology. It's a joint degree.
**Sonia:** Okay, I'll put that. Great. Well, I'll pop the information pack in the post and you should get it soon.
**Narrator:** That is the end of part one. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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**Narrator:** Now turn to section two. Section two, you will hear a talk about a pool and outdoor venue created by some people. First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 14. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 14.
**Presenter:** Hey, if you're just joining us on WKPX the sound, welcome. We're here in the studio with Matt and Cam in the morning and this morning we're talking about keeping the kids occupied on summer vacation. Folks, there's a new kid in town in the world of summer fun. Get ready for the Pool of the People, a pool and outdoor venue created by, that's right, the people. Scheduled to open in November. The ideas for everything from the design of the pool right down to the items sold in the snack bar have been decided upon by a sample of 150 members of the public. The public selected two top proposals from over a dozen created by renowned architect Ned Mosby. And the final design is truly something else. The pool is shaped like a fishbowl sinking down into the ground. And there's, you guessed it, a real life fish tank in the center. It's certainly the center of attention in the Bridgewater area.
Now, you are probably wondering how much an extravagance like this must cost, right? Well, have no fear. At just £15 for adults and £10 for kids, it's an affordable way to entertain the kids in those dog days of summer. The only problem now is the possibility that it will, in fact, become too popular. The pool is only so large, so swarms of people coming to enjoy it may cause quite a crowd in its first summer of opening.
There will be an opening party for a select audience. And in line with the pool's mission, the people have decided on all the arrangements. They collectively decided on actress Rebel Wilson to host the festivities scheduled for later this month and even dictated the playlist by ranking their top 10 songs from a list of hundreds. There is some discrepancy, however, on the sculpture design for the foyer at the entrance. The people elected a jellyfish sculpture to greet entering visitors. But given last week's vicious attack by a box jellyfish on a local youth, coordinators fear it will bring too much fear to patrons.
**Narrator:** Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 15 to 20. Now listen and answer questions 15 to 20.
**Presenter:** The theme of the clubhouse is set to be international waters with a different section representing each continent designed by the legendary local artist Roberta Anuzi. Representing Asia in the reception area will be a mosaic made up of prominent animals indigenous to the continent. A camel, a panda, and the Siberian white tiger to name just a few.
In the west lounge, feel the cool, icy vibes of the trans Antarctic mountains of Antarctica. Makes you cold just thinking about it, doesn't it? Just seeing a wall with a mural of the glacial mountains is almost enough to cool you off on a December afternoon. Almost. Why not make the trip to the pool a social studies lesson at the same time?
The theme in the ladies lounge room for Africa may not be what you expected. A safari, drum music, the Nile River? No. Did you know that Africa was home to the first jewelry? I sure didn't.
By contrast, as you may expect, North America's theme for the card room is as modern, even futuristic as it gets. Anuzi created for North America a sort of absurdist print. Interestingly, juxtaposing the moon landing of 1969 with an abstract depiction of humans living on Mars seems to me like an interesting commentary on the future of space exploration.
And in the men's lounge room, the ancient forts of Sparta, Rome, Greece, and other European civilizations fittingly exhibit the strength and combatant characteristics of these societies.
Finally, the cafe and breakfast room area is an enchanting round room that draws all attention to its center where there is a strikingly realistic sculpture of a volcano. The delicious food may actually be only the second most exciting part of this room in comparison to the 9-ft statue complete with brightly colored molten lava to characterize South America. Honestly, it is like a museum visiting each room of the clubhouse. Why not make the trip to the pool an educational one for the kids?
We're going to take a quick commercial break here at WKBX, but we'll be back in 10 with more on what's touted to be the summer's hottest place to beat the heat.
**Narrator:** That is the end of section two. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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**Narrator:** Now turn to part three. Part three. Mr. Jackson, who feels that he is physically unfit, is consulting with his doctor about his health condition. Before you listen to their conversation, you have a chance to read questions 21 to 24. Now, please listen to the recording and answer questions 21 to 24.
**Doctor:** Well, Mr. Jackson, the first and important thing I have to tell you is that there is really nothing seriously wrong with you physically. That is my very thorough re-examination and the analyst report show that basically you are very fit. Yes, very fit.
**Mr. Jackson:** So why is it doctor that I'm always so nervy, tense, ready to jump on anybody, my wife, children, colleagues?
**Doctor:** I think your condition has a lot to do with shall we call it way of life? Habits.
**Mr. Jackson:** Way of life. Habits.
**Doctor:** Yes. Now tell me, Mr. Jackson, you smoke, don't you?
**Mr. Jackson:** Yes, I'm afraid I do, doctor.
**Doctor:** And rather heavily, I imagine.
**Mr. Jackson:** Well, yes. I smoke what about 40-50 a day, I suppose.
**Doctor:** You should do your best to stop, you know.
**Mr. Jackson:** Yes, I see. But, well, it won't be the first time. I've tried to give up smoking several times, but it's no good.
**Doctor:** You see, 50 a day is overdoing it, you must admit. You must cut down at least that. Oh, yes. I know that when you're feeling tense, you probably feel that a cigarette relaxes you. But in the long run, I do advise you to make a real effort to quit smoking.
**Mr. Jackson:** Of course, but well, it's easy to say give it up or cut it down, but you know.
**Doctor:** Well, in my opinion, you have no choice. Either you make a real effort or there's no real chance of you feeling better, you see. Well, obviously I could prescribe some kind of tranquilizer, but would that help? I'd prefer, and I'm quite sure you'll agree, I'd prefer to see you really back to normal, not just seemingly so. And that's my reason for asking you several more questions about your other habits.
**Narrator:** Right, now you have a chance to read questions 25 to 30. As you listen to more of their conversation, answer questions 25 to 30.
**Doctor:** Your eating habits, for example, what do you eat normally during a normal day?
**Mr. Jackson:** Yes. Well, I'm a good eater. Yes, I'd say I'm a good eater. Now, let's see. Up at 8:00 in the morning, and my wife has a good breakfast ready.
**Doctor:** A good breakfast.
**Mr. Jackson:** The usual. A cereal followed by bacon and eggs with fried bread and perhaps a tomato or two. Then toast and marmalade, all washed down with a couple of cups of tea. Yes, I really enjoy my breakfast.
**Doctor:** Yes, I can see you do, but I'd advise you to eat rather less. We'll come to that later. Go on.
**Mr. Jackson:** Then lunch? No, first brunch. A cup of coffee and a bun at 11:00. Lunch has to be quick because there's so much to do in the office about that time. So, I have a pint and a sandwich in the pub. All very hurried.
**Doctor:** Try to be in less of a hurry, but I make up for it in the evening. I get home at about 7. Dinner's around about 8. Yes, my wife's an excellent cook. Excellent. It's usually some meat dish. And we like spaghetti as a first course. Spaghetti. A meat dish. Cheese. Sweet. But then at the end of the day, shall we say then? Well, then I begin to feel on edge again. Most evenings after dinner, we read or watch TV, but I get this terrible feeling of tension.
**Doctor:** Well, I'm sorry to have to say this because you obviously enjoy your food, but I really do recommend that you eat less and secondly that you eat more healthily instead of having that enormous breakfast for example. Well, try to be content with fruit juice and some cereal.
**Mr. Jackson:** I see. But,
**Doctor:** 11 o'clock says, right? Well, that's all right, but lunch should be more leisurely. Remember, your health is at stake, not your job. As for dinner, I'd advise you to eat a soup perhaps, with a salad. A salad followed by some fruit.
**Mr. Jackson:** But my wife's cooking is superb, granted. And she probably enjoys preparing delicious meals for you. If you like, well, I'll have a word with your wife.
**Mr. Jackson:** No, that won't be necessary. Thanks just the same, doctor, but no.
**Narrator:** That is the end of part three. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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**Narrator:** Now turn to part four. Part four, you will hear a talk from a series of lectures on the survival of our planet. Professor Samson talks about endangered species of flora and fauna. First, you'll have half a minute to look at questions 31 to 40. Now listen carefully to the talk and answer questions 31 to 40.
**Professor Samson:** Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Today's topic in this series of lectures on our planet is about ensuring the survival of our very important plant and animal species. In this lecture, I want to discuss one way that we can do this.
No one will ever see a huge dinosaur thundering through the forest. No one will ever see a paradise parrot flash its rainbow colors across the sky. The fact is that many animals and plants have been wiped out. Sadly, they are extinct. It is too late for them. Extinction is forever. We can't do anything about the species that have already disappeared. But today, there are many animals and plants that could still become extinct in the future if we do not act now. They are endangered.
The African elephant and rhinoceros have become endangered because of the value of their tusks. Australian parrots and reptiles are smuggled onto planes because certain people in other countries are prepared to pay thousands of dollars for them. And there are many other species around the world that are endangered because they no longer have a place in which to live and reproduce safely.
The main cause of extinction is the destruction of habitats. A habitat contains all that a living thing needs to survive. Space, light, water, food, shelter, and opportunities for reproduction. The population of the world is growing rapidly. And this is placing great demands on land and resources for housing and for growing food. When vegetation is cleared and swamps are drained for agriculture, mining and suburbs or when rivers are dammed to store water, plants are destroyed and animal life is threatened. In other words, humans are changing and destroying the habitats of animals and plants, which is in turn reducing their chances of survival.
So, how can we conserve habitats and help save endangered species? Well, one way is to protect their habitats permanently in national parks or nature reserves. National parks have been created in many countries. They encourage people to enjoy the beauty and diversity of the animals and plants that live there without harming them. By supporting and visiting these parks, people can become more aware of the species that live there and how the parks work to protect them.
It is very important that when visiting a national park, we keep them safe for future generations of plants and animals by obeying a few rules. Firstly, follow the fire regulations. Don't throw cigarettes or build fires except at certain times of the year in especially allocated areas and facilities. Secondly, remember to leave pets at home. Pets such as cats or dogs can hunt birds or other small animals. Some pets might even escape and become a serious threat. Thirdly, place all rubbish in a bin or take it home. Plastic bags or leftover food are dangerous to the animals and harm the environment. Don't pick the flowers or damage the plants. Flowers create the next generation of the plant. Also, for the same reason, birds eggs must be left in their nests.
The loss of species in the past is sad. However, there is hope for the future. Despite the demands of our increasing population, we can work to protect the plant and animal species we still have. So, I would like to conclude by saying that I believe that with strong public awareness and support of these national parks and reserves, the future of endangered species can be insured.
**Narrator:** That is the end of part four. You now have half a minute to check your answers. That is the end of the listening test.